QT Incorporated is the manufacturer of the Q-Ray ionized bracelet and a line of sports socks. It is headed by the infomercial entrepreneur, Que Te "Andrew" Park. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has found the bracelets are part of a scheme devised to defraud consumers.[1][2]
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
Key people | Que Te "Andrew" Park |
| Products | Ionized bracelet, Sport Socks |
| Website | Official website |
Legal actions
editThe company was sued by the Federal Trade Commission in 2003 for false advertising.[3]
2003 FTC injunction
editMayo Clinic published a study in 2002 showing definitively that Q-Ray bracelets have no effect upon muscle pain relative to the placebo effect.[4] This study prompted the Federal Trade Commission to impose an injunction on QT Inc. the following year, preventing any further claims regarding pain relief.[3]
2006 follow-up case
editOn September 8, 2006, a federal judge ordered QT Inc. to pay back $22.5 million "in ill-gotten gains." The defendants could owe even more—up to $87 million—depending on how many Q-Ray customers seek refunds. U.S. Magistrate Judge Morton Denlow wrote a 136-page opinion and concluded: "Park made up the theory that the bracelet works like acupuncture or Eastern medicine. He has no testing or studies to support his theory." Thus, the theory was made "...to defraud consumers out of millions of dollars by preying on their desire to find a simple solution to alleviate their physical pain."[5] On January 3, 2007, the Seventh Circuit affirmed the lower court's ruling.[6]
Current state of affairs
editQT Inc. continues to sell Q-Ray Bracelets online.[7]
Q-Ray also sells Q-Ray Sport Socks which are claimed to enhance energy flow, increase positive energy, increase performance, and make the wearer feel taller.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Court rules in FTC's favor in Q-Ray bracelet case Archived August 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine U.S. Federal Trade Commission (2006)
- ^ Quackwear: Big Pseudoscience Wants to Sell You Wearable Metal to Improve Your Health; Alternet; January 10, 2015.
- ^ a b "Appeals Court Affirms Ruling in FTC's Favor in Q-Ray Bracelet Case". Federal Trade Commission. 7 January 2008.
- ^ Bratton, R.; Montero; Adams; Novas; McKay; Hall; Faust; Mueller; O'Brien; Atkinson; Maurer (2002). "Effect of "Ionized" Wrist Bracelets on Musculoskeletal Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial". Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 77 (11): 1164–1168. doi:10.4065/77.11.1164. PMID 12440551.
- ^ Court Rules In FTC's Favor In Q-Ray Bracelet Case Archived August 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine; Federal Trade Commission; September 2009 article; retrieved .
- ^ FTC v. QT Inc.; 7th Circuit Court ruling; January 3, 2007.
- ^ Giver, Beware, Chicago Tribune; December 17, 2007 article; retrieved .
- ^ Biometal Socks.